What is the Best Keyboard for Gaming?

A gaming keyboard is a keyboard that was designed with the task of gaming in mind. A majority of keyboards are designed to provide an optimal typing experience. A keyboard that was designed for gaming will typically have specific enhancements and changes to make it more suitable for gaming on. In this article, we will be going over some of the differences that you might notice with a gaming keyboard and why you should invest in one as a PC gamer.  

Differences In Gaming Keyboards

1. Different Switches

One of the main differences that you will notice with a keyboard that is built for typing and one that is built for gaming is the switch type. With gaming keyboards, you are generally going to find a variety of switch options available to choose from. With a mechanical keyboard, each individual key has a switch and a spring. Thus, they are capable of providing much more tactile feedback and they feature their own unique actuation point where the key is registered. A regular keyboard meant for typing that is not mechanical will feature a membrane design which is not nearly as tactile or accurate. A gaming keyboard almost always features a mechanical keyboard design which means you don’t have to press down fully on each key in order to get the key to register. This can lead to extremely fast reaction times when playing fast twitch games. The fastest switches are Cherry MX switches which are going to be great for those that play fast twitch shooters and games that require fast reactions, but they are typically very poor for traditional typing because you will likely make many more mistakes with it.    

2. Macro Key Features

Another big difference that you will find with a gaming keyboard is the addition of macro features which allow you to bind and combine specific key presses to create an action. This is something that can be very beneficial for those that play games that require a lot of combination button presses.  

3. Software

Another big thing gaming keyboards offer is the ability to customize the keyboard entirely. A traditional typing keyboard is not going to come with its own software. Whereas, a gaming keyboard will come with its own customizable software that will allow you to change what each button is intended to do, control RGB lighting, and more.  

Reasons To Get a Keyboard for Gaming

1. More Features

The main reason you are likely going to want to make the investment in a gaming keyboard would be to take full advantage of the features that you will be able to get along with it. With a gaming keyboard, you will be able to effectively create macros that will allow you to perform in-game actions that you would normally have to press multiple buttons to accomplish. Along with this, a lot of gaming keyboards feature their own media buttons which will allow you to control the volume of your game.  

2. Better Reaction Time

Another reason to invest in a gaming keyboard would be to experience better performance. With a gaming keyboard, you will be able to get the specific switch type that you feel most comfortable with. This alone will help you get more out of your gaming experience and get the best performance from your gaming sessions.  

3. Customization

You will be able to customize the RGB lighting to improve the aesthetics of your PC setup and you will be able to customize the actions of each key in order to improve your gaming experience. Overall, a gaming keyboard is one of the best tools that you can invest in when you are looking to get into PC gaming or take your PC gaming experience to the next level.      

=== My Recommendations ===

 

#1 – Razer Blackwidow Chroma v2 Gaming Keyboard Review

        The Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2 is a stylish mechanical keyboard aimed at gamers. It features Razer mechanical switches for the perfect combination of ‘clickiness’ and responsiveness, with travel time and resistance perfectly designed for gaming.  

Choice of Switches

Choose from Green, Orange or Yellow switches to suit your preferences in terms of responsiveness. These switches are designed to last as long as possible, with an expected lifespan of 80 million keystrokes.  

Essential Gaming Features

The Blackwidow Chroma V2 is designed to offer everything a gamer needs, including:

• An ergonomic wrist rest for comfort during marathon sessions
• Audio and USB pass-through ports for added convenience when using gadgets with short cables
• Chroma Backlighting
• Numeric keypad

 

Customize to Suit Your Tastes

The Chroma backlighting is perfect for case-modders, with millions of color options that you can set via the Razer software. It’s both aesthetically pleasing, and comforting for typing in the dark. This is a durable and robust keyboard that is perfect not just for gaming use but also for people who are looking to do some more serious work on their computers too. It combines easy to type on keys with a nice gaming aesthetic. The Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2 does carry a price premium, but it is something that is well worth the cost when compared to membrane keyboards or lower-end mechanical models. It is easy to develop RSI when typing or spending a lot of time playing games where a high APM is required, and having a good keyboard is something that can help to prolong your career in front of the computer. Those who do not want a fancy backlight may find a less expensive model more appealing, but there is a lot to love about the form and function of this more premium gaming keyboard.